Update: 2/28/22, as Student Strike had a day of action planned for March 1st, 2022, to show statewide opposition in our public schools against HB 1134, the petition will remain open until then. We will "declare victory" the following day. Although HB 1134 was struck down in the Indiana Senate today, the war on education is not over. There are various other bills ( 1251, 1041 up for vote tomorrow) that target our schools. We as students, parents, and Hoosiers as a whole cannot give up. We are asking that students in any and all public schools wear red tomorrow still, in celebration of HB 1134 being killed. Thank you all for your time and support!! 

HB 1134 poses a threat to our classrooms. This bill is not a democrat or republican issue, it is a Hoosier issue. If passed, it will affect every single child in a public school throughout Indiana. It aims to limit learning about race and sex discrimination in Hoosier public schools. As a junior at Rochester Community High School, I do not want to see future generations of students miss out on an extremely important part of their education. 

Lawmakers are putting their politics before our education. This is not fair to us as students or our teachers. We deserve a proper education, to be taught about topics that affect the real world.

Furthermore, it places restrictions on getting students the help they need mentally. It would require parents to be informed and have the option of opting their student out of "non-emergency" mental/psychological health services. This will cause students to be placed in uncomfortable and potentially unsafe positions. 

As Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill said, "Instead of stifling tough conversations in the classroom, we should trust educators as professionals to provide students with an education that enables them to learn from the mistakes of our past and to help us all to create a better future." As students, we need to stand by this statement. I trust my teachers to inform me of the past without politicizing it. Our teachers went to school to become teachers; our lawmakers and parents did not. 

Despite receiving not only state, but national level, negative attention, the bill is still alive. Although it was watered down, it still continues to create unnecessary restrictions. Censorship has no place in Indiana.

Our students do not want HB 1134. Our teachers do not want HB 1134. Indiana does not want HB 1134. Student Strike Indiana is proof of this. Over 18 public high schools throughout the state will join together to hold a Day of Action on March 1st. Everything from walk-ins to walkouts to red days will be happening; all lead and organized by high school students. Students across the state will host peaceful shows of unity, allowing teachers to see we stand with them and lawmakers to see we are not willing to sit back passively. We, as young Hoosiers, do not want HB 1134. 

Sign now to show support for our teachers and tell our representatives to say no to HB 1134.